Sad scenes hit parts of Accra and Kumasi after heavy downpour on Sunday, May 18, leaving many cars submerged in the waters, some displaced, and several others broken down in the middle of the flooded roads. Residents and commuters have also been left stranded.
The rains began in the afternoon around 3 pm and lasted for three to four hours, causing significant flooding in Ashiyie, Lakeside, Madina, Awudome, Adenta, Pantang, and parts of Tema West, among many other areas.
At Lakeside and its environs, the waters rose to window levels, and cars were almost invisible as they were covered in the floods. In places like Nyamekrom near Patang, cars were completely immersed in the floods, and several other properties were destroyed as a result.
Residents of Adjei-Kojo Kanewu accused the construction activities of a local pharmaceutical company for the deteriorating flooding conditions. They claim that the company blocked the community’s primary drainage systems, resulting in a severe backflow of rainwater into residences. They assert that they are unable to cope with the existing state of affairs and need prompt government action. The impacted residents have made an urgent plea to the government and authorities to look into and resolve the matter.
At the Ofankor Barrier, roads became impassable as cars and pedestrians were at a standstill for more than an hour. Vehicles were seen trapped in water up to tire levels, disabling them from moving.
These occurrences have gradually become an annual ritual. Estate developers have also been blamed for the lack of drainage systems in most of the flood-prone areas, as most of these urban communities have very few drainage systems.
Once again, the effects of this heavy downpour on Sunday have exposed Accra’s weakness. This has caused a great inconvenience for commuters and homeowners whose homes were wrecked by the floods. Most residents are now in dire need of emergency relief as a lot of living essentials have been destroyed, aside from their vehicles, and they are calling on the government for immediate intervention.
